The future of a tea garden and the livelihood of its workers have come under serious concern in West Tripura after workers raised allegations of land occupation, destruction of tea plants and threats to their safety. They have sought urgent administrative action to prevent further damage.
Key Takeaways:
- Tea workers allege an attempt to occupy tea garden land at Mekhliban and cut tea plants for a proposed playground.
- Workers claim around 300 to 350 tea plants and saplings were cut and allege threats to their safety.
- The workers have urged the West Tripura District Magistrate to investigate and protect their land and livelihoods.
Tea workers in West Tripura have approached the District Magistrate alleging that a group of people threatened to forcibly occupy tea plantation land at Mekhliban in the Simna-Mekhliban forest area and cut down tea plants to create a large playground.
The workers submitted a deputation to West Tripura District Magistrate Dr Vishal Kumar today. They sought immediate intervention to protect the tea garden, its land and the livelihood of workers who depend on the plantation.
The complaint concerns Block No. 35(A), located near Nutan Bazar in the Mekhliban tea garden area. According to the workers, around 30 to 40 people of Tipra Motha Party were allegedly involved in the attempt to occupy the plantation land.
The workers also alleged that approximately 300 to 350 tea plants and saplings were cut down in the area.
Workers Raise Land Occupation Allegations
The workers named Sushil Debbarma, son of Yugesh Debbarma, and Priya Kumar Debbarma, son of Nilmani, as the main persons allegedly involved in the incident.
The workers said the alleged attempt to occupy the plantation land could affect the normal functioning of the tea garden. They also expressed concern over the reported cutting of tea plants.
Several families depend on the tea garden for their livelihood, the workers said. Any continued destruction of tea plants could reduce production and affect employment.
The workers have therefore urged the administration to prevent any further damage to the plantation.
Proposed Playground Raises Concern
According to the workers, the tea garden land belongs to BJP MLA Ram Prasad Pal. However, workers alleged Tipra Motha activists told them that the land would be converted into a large playground despite its location away from the city.
The workers said clearing tea plants for such a project could have a direct impact on the plantation.
They argued that tea garden land supports both production and employment. Any move that reduces the plantation area, they said, could create long-term uncertainty for workers and their families.
The workers have demanded that no further tea plants be removed until the administration examines the matter.
Workers Allege Threats to Life
The deputation also highlighted alleged threats against tea garden workers.
The workers claimed that they later went to the area to collect tea leaves as part of their regular duties. However, some people from the Nutan Bazar area allegedly prevented them from entering the plantation.
They further alleged that workers were threatened with death if they entered the disputed tea garden land.
The allegations have created fear among workers, according to the complaint. They said many employees were now concerned about their personal safety while performing their routine duties.
Demand for District Administration Action
The workers have asked the District Magistrate to order a detailed investigation into the alleged attempt to occupy the tea garden land.
They have also sought an inquiry into the reported cutting of tea plants and saplings. The workers demanded legal action against anyone found responsible.
The deputation further sought measures to protect the tea garden land and property. The workers asked the administration to prevent any further attempts to occupy the plantation or damage its tea plants.
They also requested adequate security for tea workers in view of the alleged threats.
Speaking to reporters one of the workers Mina Urang said immediate administrative intervention was necessary to protect the tea garden and their employment.
They demanded that the alleged plan to clear tea plants for a playground be stopped until the dispute is properly examined.
